| Copyright (c) 2008 Adam Nowak | | | | further description. We can switch off Wi-Fi in the |
| The iPhone is a device created by Apple Inc. that | | | | settings, but our staff couldn't find the option of |
| integrates the features of a cellular phone, an MP3 | | | | switching off EDGE, which is set for the USA |
| player (iPod) and what Apple Inc. has named an | | | | market. And the problem is that the iPhone needs |
| instant messenger. The device was presented on | | | | permanent Internet connection to function |
| January 9 2007 at the Macworld convention in | | | | properly. Most applications, e.g. Weather, Stocks |
| San Francisco by Steve Jobs. After the iPhone's | | | | need Internet connection to function. Without it |
| premiere shares of Apple rose sharply. Due to | | | | the iPhone loses much of its functionality and |
| the work on iPhone, the premiere of the Mac OS | | | | some functions become useless. Of course there |
| X v10.5 operating system was postponed from | | | | is no problem when we are in range of the Wi-Fi |
| June 11 to October 26. | | | | network. Coming back to the settings, there is |
| An innovative solution was replacing the keyboard | | | | much we can personalize. For example, you can |
| with a multi-touch screen. It doesn't need stylus | | | | assign different ring tones to individual groups to |
| but is designed for use with a finger or multiple | | | | hear a different ring tone, depending on who is |
| fingers. Other innovations include automatic | | | | calling, change the menu background or configure |
| shutting of the screen when the iPhone is brought | | | | the Safari browser. A transfer of contacts from |
| near the ear (a proximity sensor) and a 3.5 in. | | | | the SIM card to the iPhone's memory or vice |
| screen with a 320?80 pixels resolution, which | | | | versa is impossible. |
| changes the screen according to the orientation | | | | Phone |
| of the phone (vertically-horizontally). The device | | | | In the main menu there is a bar with four icons, |
| supports MP3 audio format and MPEG video | | | | which in fact, are the most useful in the whole |
| format. It also features a 2.0 megapixel digital | | | | menu. Among those, there is the "Phone" |
| camera. Songs and video files are added via | | | | application, which obviously allows for managing |
| iTunes, just like in the iPod. The iPhone allows | | | | your phone. After its start, a full screen |
| cordless access to the Internet via Wi-Fi and the | | | | alphanumeric keyboard appears. This application |
| Safari web browser. | | | | allows dialling phone numbers and making phone |
| Main Menu | | | | calls. |
| The main screen displays a series of icons leading | | | | There are many ways to make a phone call. One |
| to individual options. At the bottom there are four | | | | of them is the possibility of selecting a number |
| icons that allow quick access to the following | | | | from the "Contacts" phonebook. On making a |
| functions: phone, email account, the Safari web | | | | phone call additional options appear on the screen. |
| browser and the iPod player. | | | | The "mute" mode for example switches off our |
| Calendar | | | | microphone. The "Keypad" option shows the |
| The device features a calendar with many useful | | | | keyboard on the screen. The "Speaker" activates |
| options. The Calendar can be viewed in daily, | | | | the speakerphone mode. |
| weekly or monthly mode. All you need to add a | | | | Can we use other applications when talking on the |
| task is to click one button and select the date. | | | | iPhone? Yes, there's a possibility of synchronizing |
| Almost everyone has seen the iPhone's wonderful | | | | that with the iTunes or browsing the Internet. |
| graphic interface on movies circulating round the | | | | When there is an incoming call while we play with |
| Internet. But the hands-on experience makes an | | | | our toy, a small menu with two options, "reject" |
| even greater impression. It can't be described. | | | | and "answer", appears. When we answer a call for |
| You just have to see it and touch it yourself. | | | | instance, we can activate the speakerphone |
| Sliding horizontally and vertically is great fun, all of | | | | mode and simultaneously talk and browse the |
| this without hanging up. The browser also offers | | | | Internet. |
| setting the viewed photograph as wallpaper, | | | | Safari |
| attaching it to an email or assigning it to a contact. | | | | This is arguably the best application featured by |
| You Tube | | | | the iPhone. I must admit that this browser made |
| Similarly to Photos, this application changes our | | | | quite an impression on me. I can claim that this is |
| iPhone into a multimedia centre. This is a version | | | | the best browser with which I've had a chance to |
| of the popular You Tube service customized for | | | | surf the web, when it comes to mobile devices. |
| the iPhone. As it is known, You Tube films are in | | | | Except for the fact that it isn't compatible with |
| Flash format, but Google converts them to H264 | | | | Java (only JavaScript) or Flash, the iPhone can |
| format. | | | | replace a laptop, since most of the pages are |
| This codec offers much better viewing quality and | | | | displayed correctly. |
| needs less space than the flv. format. The You | | | | The Buttons |
| Tube Application offers many additional functions. | | | | A tidbit for the end. The iPhone has got 3 |
| Users can organize their favourite movies, | | | | hardware buttons. The first one serves for |
| comment on them, contact the authors, and | | | | switching the device on and off, the second one |
| search by categories and keywords. | | | | is the "Home" button and the third sets the sound |
| The visual quality is satisfactory. Downloading time | | | | volume or switches the speakerphone mode |
| through Wi-Fi isn't very long. The clip starts playing | | | | during a phone call on and off. |
| almost immediately after its selection. | | | | Summary |
| Stock Exchange quotations | | | | The iPhone is a very specific device. When we |
| Our staff spent the least time on this application. | | | | get used to its graphical interface, it will be hard |
| There was nothing to test, as it doesn't offer | | | | to switch back to a standard mobile phone. |
| current quotations. You can say this is a washout. | | | | Looking at the operational system in the device, |
| Maps | | | | which is based on the open UNIX system, in the |
| Another application featured by iPhone. Maps are | | | | iPhone it is closed and all improvements or |
| the mobile version of Google Maps with NavTeq | | | | additions can only be done by Apple. A patch that |
| maps. This application allows us to find the place | | | | would fix some bugs was announced, but we |
| we are looking for. The map download speed | | | | don't yet know its release date. |
| through the built-in Wi-Fi is satisfactory, as in the | | | | Who's the iPhone's target customer? The group |
| case of the You Tube service films. | | | | begins with the experts on Apple devices and |
| Weather | | | | finishes with the generation of our parents who |
| This application offers checking the current | | | | can't even send a text message. |
| weather or a weather forecast for almost any | | | | There is no knowledge required to use the iPhone |
| place and from any place. The application | | | | ' it's so trivially simple. |
| connects with the Yahoo! service. Users can | | | | The device will be popular with the gadget lovers, |
| select cities, the data for which will be | | | | who like boasting about a new toy. Those who |
| automatically updated. | | | | haven't had contact with PDA devices will find the |
| Clock | | | | touchscreen immensely impressive. It is contrary |
| This application shows us the time. Users can set | | | | for insiders - they are not impressed and there is |
| several time zones at the same time. This allows | | | | only little interest in the device. Sometimes it even |
| you to see what the time is in Japan at a friend's | | | | makes them smile. |
| place or in the USA at your aunt's. | | | | The iPhone makes a great pocket multimedia |
| Calculator | | | | centre. Listening to music or browsing |
| This simple calculator may be helpful in the | | | | photographs is very convenient. So is surfing the |
| supermarket to count the sum of shopping in the | | | | Internet. It won't do very well as a personal |
| basket and avoid the surprise at the cash desk. | | | | organizer or a notepad. There are many devices |
| Notes | | | | on the market that are better in this particular |
| Not all users may find this application useful. It is | | | | field, e.g. palmtops with the Windows Mobile |
| based on a simple page on which we can write | | | | system. The iPhone is more of a cool phone than |
| some fast notes. Unfortunately, it doesn't allow | | | | a PDA device. |
| drawing like Pocket PC devices or even the UIQ | | | | To sum up, in my opinion, the iPhone is a toy of a |
| series smartphones. This is just a simple noting | | | | sort with not so many functions, which has been |
| application. | | | | overrated. The graphical interface and the |
| Settings | | | | Internet browser are the two best functions of |
| This is where we can find all the configuration | | | | this phone. I call it "the phone" since it is no true |
| options of our iPhone and there are plenty of | | | | PDA device and is certainly no threat to the |
| them. There is one thing we need to add before | | | | Windows Mobile. |